Miniscope

Claim 2

A miniscope catheter comprising: a cylindrical body formed with a distal and proximal end and at least a first lumen traversing through said body; at least a first optical filament positioned in one of said lumens and eccentrically secured to said body at a region to be deflected; viewing means associated with the proximal end of said cylindrical body for viewing images through said first lumen of said body; and means associated with said body which can be operated to apply a force against said optical filament to longitudinally drive said optical filament in at least a first direction within said lumen.

Claim 3

The miniscope of claim 1 wherein said optical filament possess sufficient ultimate strength to resist breakage when said force is applied.

Claim 4

The miniscope of claim 1 wherein said filament is eccentrically positioned in said cylindrical body and secured proximate said distal end to promote deflection of the distal end.

Claim 5

The miniscope of claim 3 and wherein said viewing means is associated with that end of said first optical filament opposite said end secured to said body which is formed for viewing images through said filament.

Claim 6

The miniscope of claim 4 and wherein said cylindrical body includes a second lumen, and said miniscope includes a second optical filament having a proximal and a distal end which passes through said second lumen, and illumination means associated with the proximal end of said second optical element for illuminating the region to be viewed.

Claim 7

The miniscope of claim 3 wherein said cylindrical body includes a second lumen, and said miniscope includes a second optical filament having a proximal and distal end and passes through said second lumen and said viewing means is associated with the proximal end of said second optical filament for viewing images through said filament.

Claim 8

The miniscope of claim 6 and wherein said scope includes illumination means associated with the proximal end of said first optical element for illuminating the region to be viewed.

Claim 9

The miniscope of claim 3 wherein said force applying means is formed to engage said optical filament surface and apply a force to drive said filament in said first longitudinal direction.

Claim 10

The miniscope of claim 3 wherein said force applying means is operable for applying a force to said filament to drive said filament in two opposing longitudinal directions.

Claim 11

The miniscope of claim 3 wherein said force applying means is formed to engage said optical filament surface and apply a force to drive said filament in two opposing longitudinal directions.

Claim 12

The miniscope of claim 10 further including a handle formed with a cavity, said cylindrical body proximal end being positioned in said handle cavity with said first filament having an end exposed in said cavity.

Claim 13

The miniscope of claim 11 wherein said force applying means includes a first structure mounted to said filament and a second structure mounted selectively operable for movement in two opposing directions in said handle, said second structure being formed to engage a surface of said first structure to move said first structure and said filament one of said two opposing longitudinal directions when said second structure is being operated to be moved in one of said two opposing directions.

Claim 14

The miniscope of claim 12 further including a means for limiting the longitudinal movement of said filament in either of said opposing directions.

Claim 15

The miniscope of claim 12 wherein said first structure is a rack which is secured to said filament positioned in said handle, said rack having at least a first surface formed with teeth, and wherein said second structure is a pinion which is formed with a circumferential surface having teeth, said pinion being mounted for rotation in said handle in a position proximate to said rack to place said pinion teeth into engagement with at least some of said teeth of said rack first surface.

Claim 16

The miniscope of claim 14 further including a wheel mounted for rotation in said handle, said wheel being mounted to allow access outside said handle, said wheel being secured to said pinion to rotate said pinion as it is rotated.

Claim 17

The miniscope of claim 14 further including a wheel mounted for rotation in said handle, said wheel being mounted to allow for access outside said handle, said wheel being coupled to said pinion to rotate said pinion as it is rotated through a gear assembly.

Claim 18

The miniscope of claim 14 further including a wheel mounted for rotation in said handle, said wheel being mounted to allow for access outside said handle, said wheel being coupled to said pinion to rotate said pinion as it is rotated through a pulley assembly.

Claim 19

The miniscope of claim 11 further including a means for limiting the longitudinal movement of said filament in either of said opposing directions.

Claim 20

The miniscope of claim 18 wherein said optical filament possess sufficient ultimate strength to resist breakage when said force is applied.

Claim 21

The miniscope of claim 19 further including at least one more lumen traversing through said body, with at least one additional filament being positioned in said lumen.

Claim 22

The miniscope of claim 19 further including at least two more lumens traversing through said body, with at least one additional filament being positioned in one of said lumens.

Claim 23

The miniscope of claim 21 further including a second drive means for driving said additional filament two opposing directions.

Claim 24

The miniscope of claim 21 wherein said lumen in which said first filament is positioned is formed eccentrically in said body.

Claim 25

The miniscope of claim 23 further including a means positioned about said first filament which is formed with a first region of low rigidity located along said filament proximate to said body distal end, and a second region of high rigidity located over the remainder of said filament.

Claim 26

The miniscope of claim 23 further including a coil spring positioned about said first filament within said lumen, said coil spring being formed with its coils located about said filament proximate to said body distal end being spatially separated, while the remainder of said coil spring is tightly wound.

Claim 27

The miniscope of claim 23 wherein said body is formed with a main body section prepared from a rigid polymeric material and a tip section prepared from a soft, pliable polymeric material.

Claim 28

The miniscope of claim 23 wherein said first filament is characterized by having an ultimate strength of at least seven thousand pounds per square inch.

Claim 29

The miniscope of claim 23 wherein said cylindrical body is formed with an outer diameter no greater than 2.8 millimeters.

Claim 30

A miniscope according to claim 1 and wherein the viewing means is an eyepiece means having a lens to allow direct visual observation through the lumen.

Claim 31

A catheter miniscope comprising: a catheter body having a distal and proximal end and an outer diameter of no greater than 2.8 millimeters, said body being formed with at least three eccentrically positioned lumens; a first optical filament formed from a fused bundle of individual glass filaments positioned in one of said lumens and secured in said lumen at a location proximate said catheter body distal end; a second optical filament positioned through another of said lumens; a handle means which is formed with a cavity for receiving a portion of said catheter body proximal end; said first and second optical filaments being formed with exposed ends positioned in said handle cavity, said second optical filament exposed and being positioned to receive light; an eyepiece means coupled to said exposed end of said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being formed with lens to allow visual observation through said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being secured to said handle means; and a means located in said housing which is formed to engage said first optical filament surface and apply a force for driving said filament in two opposing longitudinal directions whereby the distal end of said catheter is deflected.

Claim 32

A catheter miniscope comprising: a catheter body having a distal and proximal end and an outer diameter of no greater than 2.8 millimeters, said body being formed with at least three eccentrically positioned lumens; a first optical filament formed from a fused bundle of individual glass filaments positioned in one of said lumens and secured in said lumen at a location proximate said catheter body distal end; a second optical filament positioned through another of said lumens; a handle means which is formed with a cavity for receiving a portion of said catheter body proximal end; said first and second optical filaments being formed with exposed ends positioned in said handle cavity, said second optical filament exposed and being positioned to receive light; an eyepiece means coupled to said exposed end of said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being formed with lens to allow visual observation through said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being secured to said handle means; and a means located in said housing which is formed to engage said first optical filament surface and apply a force for driving said filament in two opposing longitudinal directions whereby the distal end of said catheter is deflected.

Claim 33

A catheter miniscope comprising: a catheter body having a distal and proximal end and an outer diameter of no greater than 2.8 millimeters, said body being formed with at least three eccentrically positioned lumens; a first optical filament formed from a fused bundle of individual glass filaments positioned in one of said lumens; a second optical filament positioned through another of said lumens and secured thereto at a region proximate the distal end of the catheter body; handle means which is formed with a cavity for receiving a portion of said catheter body proximal end; said first and second optical filaments being formed with exposed ends positioned in said handle cavity, said second optical filament exposed end being positioned to receive light; an eyepiece means coupled to said exposed end of said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being formed with lens to allow visual observation through said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being secured to said handle means; and means for engaging said second optical filament surface and applying a force for driving said filament in two opposing longitudinal directions whereby the distal end of the catheter is deflected.

Claim 34

A catheter miniscope comprising: a catheter body having a distal and proximal end and an outer diameter of no greater than 2.8 millimeters, said body being formed with at least three eccentrically positioned lumens; a first optical filament formed from a fused bundle of individual glass filaments positioned in one of said lumens; a second optical filament positioned through another of said lumens and secured thereto at a region proximate the distal end of the catheter body; handle means which is formed with a cavity for receiving a portion of said catheter body proximal end; said first and second optical filaments being formed with exposed ends positioned in said handle cavity, said second optical filament exposed end being positioned to receive light; an eyepiece means coupled to said exposed end of said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being formed with lens to allow visual observation through said first optical filament, said eyepiece means being secured to said handle means; and means for engaging said second optical filament surface and applying a force for driving said filament in two opposing longitudinal directions whereby the distal end of the catheter is deflected.